大学之道以“三纲领”和“八条目”为宗旨。何谓三纲领？就是“明德，亲民，止于至善。”
The Way of the Great Learning consists of three guidelines and eight articles. The three guidelines are: illustrating virtue, renewing the people, and resting in the highest excellence.
（一）明德：自己的德性清净光明之后，也教他人的德性清净光明
1. Illustrating virtue means that after one's own virtue become pure and bright, one teaches others to make their virtue pure and bright as well.
（二）亲民：令所有老百姓知道正当的道路，做个明理的人。
2. Renewing the people means causing all the people to know the proper path and to understand principle.
（三）止于至善：大家居处于最完善的地方。
3. Resting in the highest excellence means that all people abide in the most excellent place.
何谓八条目？就是“格物，致知，正心，诚意，修身，齐家，治国，平天下。”
What are the eight articles? They are investigating things, extending knowledge, rectifying the mind, making the intent sincere, cultivating oneself, regulating the family, managing the state, and bringing peace to the world.
（一）格物：研究天地间万事万物之性理。
1. Investigating things means investigating the natures and principles of the myriad things of the universe.
（二）致知：运用智慧，仔细分析物理，知道究竟
2. Extending knowledge means using one's wisdom to analyze in detail the principles of all phenomena, so that ultimate knowledge can be attained.
（三）正心：端正一身所主宰的心。
3. Rectifying the mind means making one's mind, which is the master of the body, proper and upright.
（四）诚意：诚实所发之意。
4. Making the intent sincere means being sincere in one's thinking.
（五）修身：修好自己的身（德行）。
5. Cultivating oneself means cultivating one's own virtuous conduct.
这五种是属于身心之学。
These five articles pertain to the study of body and mind.
（六）齐家：整齐自己的家。
6. Regulating the family means managing one's own family.
（七）治国：治理自己的国家。
7. Managing the state means governing one's country well.
（八）平天下：令天下太平。
8. Bringing peace to the world means causing tranquility to prevail throughout the entire world.
这三种是属于政治之学。
These last three articles pertain to the study of politics.
这是孔子之学说，是最基本之理想，也是儒教所依据之道理。今将《大学》中的三纲领和八条目略释，将来再评细的解释。
These are the fundamental ideas of Confucius' teaching, and also the principles upon which Confucianism is based. Today I have briefly explained the three guidelines and the eight articles. A more detailed explanation may be given in the future.
